Golf grip

ABSTRACT

A unitary golf grip for attachment to the handle of a golf club having an upper section tapered toward the butt end of the club to accommodate fingers of the golfer&#39;s upper hand and a lower section having a constant outer diameter to accommodate the fingers of the golfer&#39;s lower hand.

RELATED PATENTS

The present invention is an improvement of the Golf Club Grip disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,684, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Little attention has been given to the overall shape of golf grips with the exception that grips have been made with an end or butt section being larger to prevent the club from slipping out of the hands during the execution of a full swing golf shot. Few attempts have been made to properly fit the grip to the physical structure of the hand and fingers. To the extent that a golf grip design supports and facilitates natural hand and finger action, it is said to be “ergonomically” shaped.

Normally a golf club is gripped with both hands at the end of the golf club shaft on a grip portion formed at the upper end of the club. Historically the grip has been formed with a constant diameter or with a grip that tapers toward the club head from the butt end of the club having the larger grip diameter. There are some exceptions as described in my U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,864, including the grip structure described in this patent itself.

The fingers of the normal human, non-dominant hand, that is, the hand placed on the upper portion of a golf grip, predictably differ anatomically and measurably from each other. As such they must close in the grasping hand by traveling unequal distances and at differing rates to impact sequentially against the palm. The first to impact upon the substance of a golf grip as it lies against palm is the little finger. By impacting first, this finger establishes a fulcrum and creates a trigger in each subsequent, successive digital impaction ending with the index finger, which impacts last. The disruptive influence upon swing efficiency and consistency due to the “levering” effect of these successive fulcrum and trigger actions are directly proportional to the variance of a golf grip's design from the ergonomic ideal.

The griping action of the closing fingers on a golf club with a conventional grip during set-up or address begins typically with a universally employed soft or light finger-grip pressure in the non-dominant, upper hand. This is a direct result of the firm-fingered forearm tension producing non-ergonomic shape of traditional golf grips. This soft or light finger-grip pressure at address is estimated to increase in firmness 3 to 6 times by the time the club impacts the ball in order to combat the effects of centrifugal force created in the course of the swing event. This differential in finger-grip pressure on grip shapes that are non-ergonomic directly cause the aforementioned negative fulcrum/trigger leveraging swing effects in the non-dominant hand. These effects include the undesirable, aberrant and unplanned movements of the club shaft and club head out of the intended swing path with subsequent reduction in swing-shot consistency, accuracy, predictability and beneficial outcome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The novel structural features of the golf grip of the present invention, in contrast to all other golf grip shapes, better allows the natural movement of the grasping non-dominant, upper hand's closing fingers to uniformly and simultaneously grip the club in an easier, more beneficial ergonomic way. The golf club grip of the present invention is shaped to avoid the creation of the fulcrum and trigger effects previously described above by changing the normal sequential movement of the non-dominant hand's closing fingers onto the grip's surface, to a unified and simultaneous event. This is accomplished with a grip design that reflects the normal anatomy of the upper grasping hand and as such is progressively larger in a proscribed circumferential dimension beginning with the anticipated area of impaction of the little finger and continuing through the anticipated grip impaction area of the index finger. The grip disclosed in the present invention operates by virtue of its more ergonomic embodiments, to eliminate the aforementioned inefficient finger fulcrum/trigger actions and reduce the previously described set-up through impact hand-grip-pressure swing differentials mandated by less ergonomic grip shapes.

Further, the embodiments of the grip that are the subject of the present application are ergonomic designs for the upper, non-dominant hand with a measured incremental progressive circumference increase that ends before it is extended into the grasping area of the dominant hand. This must be so in order to avoid the negative effect of such a tapered shape on the necessary but differing action of the dominant hand in the consistent and efficient prosecution of the golf swing.

Intrinsic to the ergonomic characteristics of the subject grip are the resultant desirable qualities of increased control, power, consistency, efficiency, and outcome relative to a planned, purposeful, goal-oriented golf swing action.

Another aspect of the design of the subject grip is the production of measurably increased tension-free non-dominant wrist flex. This important faculty increases tension-free extension at address to reduce the set-up wrist/shaft angle and facilitate the execution of a true “one plane swing ”; a swing protocol desirable for its consistent accuracy but elusive with the employment of less ergonomically shaped grip forms, including the grip disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,684. The propensity of the subject grip to increase non-dominant wrist-flex also facilitates increased overall swing extension resulting in smoother club head release, more powerful impact and higher swing speed with reduced effort. These and other beneficial outcomes unmentioned here are attributable to the ergonomic design of the subject grip, the end result being that the golf club at the impact position is identical to the set-up position without any necessity of manipulation of the club during the execution of a golf swing.

The present invention represents an improvement over my grip disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,684. Like the referenced patent, a preferred embodiment includes an upper section having a first diameter, an intermediate tapered, transitional section and a lower section having constant diameter larger than the diameter of the upper section.

In the present invention, the upper section is shortened accommodating only the little or outermost finger of the upper hand. The intermediate tapered section accommodates the ring finger, middle finger and index finger of the upper hand. The lower section accommodates all the fingers of the lower hand.

The present grip structure excludes the ring finger from impacting on the upper section of the grip thereby creating a superior ergonomic gripping surface. With just the last and smallest finger on the shortened upper section with the smaller diameter, the fulcrum and trigger effects caused by two fingers of unequal length closing in sequence on the same diameter section of the grip are substantially decreased as the club is swung. Therefore instead of a serial finger grip impaction during the golf swing, the fingers tighten on the golf grip simultaneously creating a smoother, less violent gripping action as described above.

Another embodiment of the improved golf grip of the present invention is formed of two sections, an upper section and a lower section grip. The lower section has a constant diameter to accommodate the lower or dominant hand as with the first embodiment described above. The upper section is tapered at a constant proscribed slope rate from the lower section all the way to the butt of the golf club and does not include a constant diameter section adjacent the butt end of the grip. This structure accommodates some golfer's finger anatomy without the small constant diameter upper section.

This embodiment also acts ergonomically through the application of a graduated circumferential design to equate the anatomical and physiologic differences in the fingers of a grasping hand to lessen the negative golf swing impacts of the sequential digital fulcrum and trigger actions described previously in this application.

This alternate ergonomic embodiment, while also accomplishing the desired effects of greater wrist flex and lesser swing finger pressure differential set out elsewhere in this application, produces a “feel” different from the feel available from the previously described structural ergonomic embodiment.

Feel in golf is a term of art that indicates a quality of swing sensibility that can differ among golfers in their appraisal and appreciation of even identical equipment; most particularly grips since it is the hands that contact the club. Feel is a term for the almost abstract qualities that the shapes, weights and textures of the golf club engender as they combine to promote in a golfer the state of confidence necessary for the mental concentration that successful execution of a golf swing requires. Therefore although feel is in part psychological in nature, it has significant ramifications in the conduct and outcome of a golf swing.

The feel of the ergonomic embodiment just described will appeal to certain golfers just as the different feel of the ergonomic embodiment of the previously described non-tapered butt section that appeals to certain other golfers.

Among the objects of the present invention are the provisions of a golf club grip having an improved ergonomic shape allowing the fingers of the upper, non-dominant hand to close simultaneously on the body of the golf grip during the execution of a full swing golf stroke.

Another object is the provision of a golf grip that promotes tension free set up as well as tension free wrist flex providing smoother more complete flat wrist, arm extension during a golf swing.

Still another object is the provision of a golf grip that enables a golfer to more consistently return the golf club head at impact to the same relationship and position with the ball and target in which the club head was positioned at the set-up, when initially addressing the ball.

Yet another object is to aid a golfer to more easily eliminate the manipulations and other artifice needed to combat the effects of less ergonomic grip shapes during a golf swing.

These and other objects will become apparent with reference to the following specification and drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the golf grip in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the golf grip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the golf grip attached to the upper end of a full length golf club.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of a golf grip in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a first embodiment of a full swing golf grip 100 in accordance with the present invention is shown attached to a golf club 102 on a shaft 104 at the opposite end of the club head 106. The grip 100 is a unitary single molded unit typically made of rubber or similar, generally flexible composite material. The grip is generally cylindrical in shape and has a hollow interior. The grip 100 includes an opening 108 at the lower end to enable it to be placed over the golf club shaft 104 and a cap 110 at the top or butt end that covers the upper end of the shaft 104. The grip 100 is formed in three separate, but interconnected, sections, including an upper section 112, a lower section 114 and an intermediate or transitional section 116 between the upper section 112 and the lower section 114. The upper section 112 has a first non-tapered, constant outer diameter along the entire length of the upper section 112, as shown in FIG. 2. The lower section 114 has a second constant outer diameter, larger than the first diameter of the upper section 112, along the entire length of the lower section 114, as shown in FIG. 3.

The intermediate section 116 is tapered with a gradually decreasing diameter from the larger diameter of the lower section 114 toward the smaller diameter of the upper section 112 such that the diameter of the intermediate section 116 gradually decreases toward the upper end of the grip 100.

The upper section 112 is sized to accommodate the uppermost finger only, that is, the pinky finger of the golfer's hand when gripping the golf club 102 in a normal ball striking position. The intermediate section 116 is sized to accommodate the remaining fingers of the upper hand, that is, the ring finger, the middle finger and the index finger. The lower section 114 of the grip 100 accommodates all the fingers of the lower, dominant hand and is slightly less than the total length of the grip 100.

Preferably the overall length of the grip 100 is conventional although it will be appreciated the exact length may vary slightly in keeping within the scope of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the grip 100 has a cap 110 approximately one quarter of an inch or slightly longer to insure the golfer's hands do not slip off the club 102 should the grip 100 become slippery. The upper section 112 preferably is no longer than an inch and a half. This length fits the upper finger of the greater majority of golfers. The intermediate section 116 is preferably three inches in length to fit the remaining three fingers of the golfer's hand. The lower section is at least four to five inches to fit all the fingers of the golfer's lower hand.

As with the grip disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,684, the outside diameter of the upper section 112 is preferably between 0.590 inches and 1.102 inches along the entire length. In the present embodiment the diameter of the upper section 112 is slightly larger than 0.75 inches. The lower section 114 has an outside diameter between 0.669 inches and 1.181 along the entire length. In the present embodiment the outside diameter of the lower section is slightly less than 1.00 inches. The tapered intermediate section 116 between the upper section 112 and the lower section 114 tapers at a rate between 0.02 inches to 0.03 inches of diameter per inch of length. In the present embodiment, the rate of taper is 0.0263 inches per inch of length. The taper of the intermediate section 116 is constant along the length thereof presenting a linear gripping surface.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of a full swing golf grip 200 in accordance with the present invention is shown. It will be appreciated the grip 200 is attached to a golf club on a shaft at the opposite end of the club head in the same manner as described above with respect to the first embodiment. The grip 200 is also a unitary single molded unit typically made of rubber or similar, generally flexible composite material. The grip 200 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a hollow interior. The grip 200 includes an opening 208 at the lower end to enable it to be placed over a golf club shaft and a cap 210 at the top or butt end that covers the upper end of the shaft.

The grip 200 is formed in two separate, but unitary and interconnected, sections, including an upper section 212, and a lower section 214. The upper section 216 is tapered with a gradually decreasing diameter from the larger diameter of the lower section 214 toward the cap 210 such that the diameter of the upper section 216 gradually decreases toward the upper end of the grip 200. The lower section 214 has a constant outer diameter along the entire length of the lower section 214, as shown.

The upper section 212 is sized to accommodate all the fingers of the golfer's upper hand when gripping a golf club in a normal ball striking position. The lower section 214 of the grip 200 accommodates all the fingers of the lower, dominant hand.

As with the first embodiment, the overall length of the grip 200 is conventional although it will be appreciated the exact length may vary slightly in keeping within the scope of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the grip 200 has a cap 210 approximately one quarter of an inch or slightly longer to insure the golfer's hands do not slip off the club should the grip 200 become slippery. The upper section 212 preferably is approximately four inches long. This length fits the fingers of the upper hand of the greater majority of golfers. The lower section is at least four to five inches to fit all the fingers of the golfer's lower hand and may be slightly longer.

The outside diameter of the upper section 212 tapers at a rate between 0.02 inches to 0.03 inches of diameter per inch of length. In the present embodiment, the rate of taper is 0.0263 inches per inch of length. The taper of the intermediate section 116 is constant along the length thereof presenting a linear gripping surface. The lower section 214 has an outside diameter between 0.669 inches and 1.181 along the entire length. In the present embodiment the outside diameter of the lower section is slightly less than 1.00 inches.

Both embodiments of the golf grips of the present invention permit the golfer to grip the club ergonomically with a comfortable and confident feeling of club control. In addition, the golfer is able to use a set-up position that will be identical to the ball impact position eliminating the need for manipulation of the club during the golf swing.

Whereas the present embodiments have been described in terms of conventional sizes, it will be appreciated the grips may be made smaller or larger to accommodate various golfers as long as the relative sizes of the sections are maintained. 

1. A unitary golf club grip for attachment to the shaft of a golf club comprising: a lower end section of said grip having a first outer diameter constant along said lower end section; an upper end section having a second outer diameter constant along said upper end section, said second outer diameter being smaller than said first outer diameter; an intermediate section located between said upper end section and said lower end section, said intermediate section having an outside diameter progressively tapering between said upper end section and said lower end section toward said upper end section; said upper end characterized by having a size providing a gripping surface to accommodate only the upper finger of a golfer's upper hand; said intermediate section characterized by having a size providing a gripping surface for the remaining three fingers of the upper hand; and, said lower section characterized by having a size providing sufficient gripping surface to accommodate all the fingers of the golfer's lower hand.
 2. The unitary golf grip of claim 1 wherein said intermediate section located between said upper end section and said lower end section being further defined by the change in outer diameter from one end to the other of the intermediate section being at a rate ranging between 0.02 to 0.03 inches per diameter per inch of length.
 3. The unitary golf grip of claim 2 wherein said change in outer diameter is 0.0263 inches per diameter per inch of length.
 4. The unitary golf grip of claim 1 wherein the length of said upper end section is between one and one and a half inches and the length of said lower end section is at least four inches.
 5. The unitary golf grip of claim 4 wherein the length of said intermediate section is between approximately between three and four inches.
 6. A unitary golf club grip for attachment to the shaft of a golf club comprising: a lower end section of said grip having a first outer diameter constant along said lower end section; an upper end section having a second outer diameter constant along said upper end section, said second outer diameter being smaller than said first outer diameter; an intermediate section located between said upper end section and said lower end section, said intermediate section having an outside diameter progressively tapering between said upper end section and said lower end section toward said upper end section; said upper end characterized by having a size providing a gripping surface to accommodate only the upper finger of a golfer's upper hand; said intermediate section characterized by having a size providing a gripping surface for the remaining three fingers of the upper hand; and, said lower section characterized by having a size providing sufficient gripping surface to accommodate all the fingers of the golfer's lower hand; said intermediate section located between said upper end section and said lower end section being further defined by the change in outer diameter from one end to the other of the intermediate section being at a rate ranging between 0.02 to 0.03 inches per diameter per inch of length.
 7. A unitary golf club grip for attachment to the shaft of a golf club comprising: a butt section at the upper end of said golf club grip; a lower end section of said grip having an outer diameter constant along said lower end section; an upper end section located above said lower end section, said upper end section having an outside diameter progressively tapering away from said lower end section toward said butt section; said upper end characterized by having a size providing a gripping surface to accommodate all the fingers of a golfer's upper hand; and, said lower section characterized by having a size providing sufficient gripping surface to accommodate all the fingers of the golfer's lower hand.
 8. The unitary golf grip of claim 7 wherein said upper section is further defined by the change in outer diameter from one end to the other of the upper section being at a rate ranging between 0.02 to 0.03 inches per diameter per inch of length.
 9. The unitary golf grip of claim 7 wherein said upper section and said lower section are each at least four inches in length.
 10. The unitary golf grip of claim 7 wherein said upper section is characterized as having an additional second section with an outer constant diameter portion along the uppermost portion of said upper end section, said second outer diameter being smaller than said first outer diameter of said lower portion; said upper end characterized by having a size providing a gripping surface to accommodate only the upper finger of a golfer's upper hand; and said section characterized with a progressively tapering diameter accommodating the other three fingers of the golfer's hand. 